Livni talks to Clinton, McCain

The Israeli foreign minister, in the United States on an official visit, had spoken Tuesday with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), another contender for the presidency, when he reached out to her.

Subsequently, Livni’s staff reached out to the campaigns of Senators Clinton (D-N.Y.) and McCain (R-Ariz.)

A short message from the Israeli embassy Wednesday noted that Livni “updated the candidates on the Middle East situation and expressed gratitude for their actions and expressions of support for Israel.” It also noted that she would meet with McCain next week when he leads a congressional delegation to Israel.

Livni addressed the Massachusetts state Legislature Wednesday and was scheduled to speak at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She has already met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as top lawmakers.

Her message has been that Israel is ready to forge ahead in peace negotiations with the Palestinians and that Iran must be confronted as a major backer of terrorism in the region.